Table construction



May 25, 1937. P. ALBANO 2,081,212

TABLE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 22, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR pefel'fllbaxzo ATTORNEYS Patented May 25, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 10 Claims.

The present invention relates to a table construction, and it particularly relates to a table with an enlargeable or extension top.

Although many types of tables have appeared upon the market with expansible top portions, these tables as a general rule have only been expansible in one direction, particularly in the direction of length.

Tables of this character as a general rule have been necessarily of rather heavy and bulky construction and they required either the insertion of leaves into position in the center portion of the table when the two side portions were pulled apart, or'it was necessary to pull out relatively heavy leaf structures, which could be fitted or locked onto the end of the table, these constructions being of substantial weight and occupying considerable volume were not particularly useful in the usual city apartment where space economy is a very important factor.

It is therefore among the objects of the present invention to provide an expansible table construction, which will be small and compact and will occupy but little space when not extended, and which at the same time may be readily extended to give a substantial table area as may be desired for the serving of meals or for other purposes.

Another object, is to provide a compact, inexpensive and readily operable expansible: table construction for use in apartments and homes in which the table top construction will be both longitudinally and laterally expansible.

In designing an expansible table construction of the character above, particularly adapted for apartment use, it is most important that the extension portions be capable of being compactly stored and readily accessible and be conveniently applied to extend the table, and it is among the objects of the present invention to provide a table construction of the character described in which a housewife or a maid may without difficulty extend the table construction and apply the extension leaves or elements thereto without any particular amount of skill or instruction.

Another object is to provide an expansible table of the character described in which the table may be extended and the expansion leaves inserted, with assurance that the expansion elements will be held secure and firmly in position without substantial possibility of being accidentally upset or disengaged and withfurther assurance that the extension and collapsing operations may be rapidly performed by the housewife or maid without injury or liability of scratch- (Cl. ail-59) ing or marring the table surface or the rest of the table structure.

It'is a still further object of the present invention to provide an expansible table construction, which may be readily and inexpensively manufactured of wooden members and inexpensive metal stampings, and which will not require expensive metal stampings or other costly struc tural features.

Other objects will be obvious or will appear during the course of the following specification.

In accomplishing the above objects it has been found most satisfactory to provide a table top construction, which is slidable on a base or support provided with legs. In the preferred construction the sliding guide members are arranged so that the table may be moved obliquely to one side of its base structure or support, so that extra extension panels or leaves may be inserted both along the side and along the end of the main top structure when so displaced.

In the preferred construction a drawer is provided under the top and in the sup-port or base, said drawer receiving an end addition leaf and a side addition leaf, the. drawer being so arranged that the leaves may be conveniently removed therefrom. Preferably for space economythe leaves are hinged and are provided with cooperating tongues on the edges of the table exposed by the obliquely displaced main top structure.

The main top structure is desirably provided with an overrun, when initially, so that when it is pushed back its inside edges will cooperate with the edgesiof the insertedleaves to lock them in position. In one form of construction, the drawer may then be closed to lock the main table top in position, which in turn will lock the extension lateral and longitudinal leaves.

In the drawings in which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of the table in collapsible condition as it may be normally employed.

'Fig. 2 is a top perspective view similar to Fig. 1 with the drawer containing the extension leaves pulled out and with the top obliquely displaced.

Fig. 3 is a top perspective view similar to Fig. 2 with the end or longitudinal extension leaf inserted in position.

Fig. 4 is a top perspective view similar to Fig. 3 with the lateral or side extension leaf in position.

Fig. 5 is a top perspective view similar to Fig. 4 but with the main tabletop portion moved to take up the over-run and to lock the end and side extension leaves in position, and with the drawer returned to lock the main table top in position.

Fig. 6 is a top view of the table in the position shown in Fig. 1, upon a somewhat enlarged scale with the top partly broken away and with the drawer closed.

Fig. 7 is a longitudinal sectional view upon the line of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a transverse sectional view upon the line 88 of Fig. 6.

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side sectional view upon the line 99 of Fig. 5 and on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 10 is an upward transverse sectional view upon the line |0|0 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top View of the corner of the table showing the locking tongue construction.

Fig. 12 is a transverse sectional view upon the line |2-|2 of Fig. 11 showing the side view of the locking tongue.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary top View of the corner of the table top construction with part of the table removed showing the locking construction.

Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional view upon the line |4--l4 of Fig. 13.

Fig. 15 is a transverse sectional view upon the line |5--|5 of Fig. 11, and

Figs. 16 and 1'7 are bottom plan views of the leaf structures, in extended position.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 5, the table construction has a table top A, a drawer construction B, a support or base construction D, the legs 0, the end extension leaf E, and the side extension leaf F.

Referring to Fig. 6 the support structure includes the side members ID and the end members II which are respectively recessed, as indi-- cated at l3 and M to receive the oblique beams l5 and I6.

These oblique beams are slotted, as indicated at I! and 8, to receive the sliding tongues l9 and 20, the lower edge of which tongues are provided with enlargements or embossments 2| and 22, to fit into the corresponding recesses 23 and 24 at the lower side of the openings l1 and IS.

The tongues I9 and 20 are attached rigidly by the screws or bolts 25 and 26 to the table top construction A and they are readily slidable in the grooves I! and 8 so that the table top A may be most readily pushed obliquely off the structure D, as indicated in Figs. 2, 3, and 4.

As shown in Figs. '7 and 8, the side walls I0 and II are provided with the under extensions 21 and 28, which receive the drawer structure B, which rests on the inturned portions 21 and 28 and slides along the portions 21.

The drawer B, as shown in Fig. 15 is provided with the sides 29 and the bottom 30, and is provided with compartments 3|, 32 and 33 (see Fig. 2).

As shown in Fig. 2, the compartment 3| receives the folded extension leaf structure E and the compartment 32 receives the folded side extension leaf structure F, while the compartment 33 may be used for silver or other articles.

It will be noted that the compartments 3| and 32 are respectively provided with openings 34 and 35 for the purpose of permitting the hand to be inserted below the drawer when drawn out, as indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, whereby the leaf structures E and F may be lifted from the compartments and successively applied to the table, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

The leaf structures as best shown in Figs. 3 to 5 and 7 and 8 and 16 and 17 are of double hinged construction so that they may be compactly folded together and inserted in the drawer B as indicated in Fig. 2. The hinged faces are flattened, as indicated at 36 in Fig. 6, and 31 in Fig. '7, so that when the leaves are extended, as shown in Figs. 16 and 17 respectively, the flattened faces 36 and 31 will closely meet without interspace (see also Figs. 3 to 5).

The outer edges of the leaves are respectively outwardly ridged, as indicated at 40 in Fig. '7, to continue the conformation of the edges 4| of the table top A and an inner edge provided with a groove 42 which is adapted to receive and be locked in position by the conforming embossed edges 43 of the table top A (see Figs. 6 to 9). On the sides Ill and II of the structure D are connected the brackets 44, 45, 46 and 41 which cooperate with the offset tongue members 48 on the bottom of the leaf structures E and F (see Figs. 6, 9, 10, 16, and 17).

As shown in large scale in Figs. 9 and 10, the

tongues 48 consist of the flattened sections 49 screwed as indicated at 50 to the bottom or side faces of the leaves E and F, the outer end of the leaf being offset as shown at 5| to reach under the projecting flanges 52 at the top of the bracket 46.

As shown in Fig. 9 the lower vertical portions 53 of the brackets 44 to 41 are screwed to the sides ll! of the structure D by the screws 54.

It will be noted in Fig. 6 that the horizontal flanges 55 of the brackets 44 and 45 are some- 1 what lengthened as compared to the horizontal tongues 52 of the brackets 46 and 41 to receive more satisfactorily the shorter extension leaf E. Where there is a tendency for the hook or flange members 5| of the brackets 48 of the leaves E and F to slide across the upper edges of the side portions I0 and of the structure D, the flanges 56 are provided, as indicated in Fig. 6, to form a sort of a slideway for the offset portions 5| of the hooks 48 and prevent undue marring or scratching of the wood of the structure D.

As indicated in Figs. 3 and 4 and 16 and 17 the undersurface 0f the leaves E and F are respectively provided with the location blocks 5'! and 58. When the leaves E and F have been unfolded and latched in position as shown in Fig. 4, the blocks 51 and 58 will assure correct positioning when they fit against the inside. upper edges of the sides l0 and of the support struc- 1 ture D.

In operation when the table is to be extended the drawer B is just removed and then the table top is pushed obliquely in the direction indicated by the arrow 59 in Figs. 1 and 2.

The length of the grooves ll and I8 is such, that the top A when moved to the position of Fig. 2, will slightly overrun its final position of Fig. 5 by the space |0| indicated in Fig. 11.

Then the hand is inserted in the opening 34 below the compartment 3| in the drawer B. The double leaf structure E is withdrawn from the compartment 3| and then unfolded, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 17. The hook structures 48 on the undersurface thereof are positioned so that they are slightly inside of the overhanging flanges 55 of the brackets 44 and 45 with the side blocks 5'! against the side walls I0 and The double leaf structure E is then moved in the direction indicated by the arrow 60 of Fig. 3,

to cause the offset portions of the books 48 to lock under the outwardly extending flanges 55 of the'brackets 44 and 45 until the blocks 51 are stopped against the upper edge of the wall II and in the corners of the support D.

The leaf structure E will then be in the position indicated in Fig. 3. Then the drawer B may be further withdrawn, if desired, to permit the hand to be inserted into the opening 35 to lift the folded leaf structure F out of position, or the hand maybe inserted in the recess 6|, indicated in Fig. 3, to enable the leaf structure F to be conveniently grasped, removed, and extended, as indicated in Fig. 4.

The leaf structure F may then be inserted with the offset portions 5i of the brackets 48 inside of thehorizontal portions 52 of the brackets 45. The leaf structure F may then be moved outwardly and obliquely in the direction indicated been moved into the position of Fig. 5, the tongue portions 43 atthe inner sides of the top A will be inserted in the recesses 42 of the leaf structures E and F. o

To look the table top A into position, and thereby also look the leaves E and F in position, the angular or L-shaped tongue 64 and the looking mg 65 are provided (see Figs. 6 and 11 to Referring to Figs. 11 to 14, the L.-shaped tongue 64 is connected by the pivot screw 65 to the side structure I!) of the table and it is pressed upwardly by the corner 61 of the drawer structure B, when said drawer structure closed as indicated in Figs, 6, 11, and 12. The drawer corner 61 upon closing first rides under the side portion 68 and then under the end leg 69 of said L structure 64.

It will be noted that the end of the leg 68 is obliquely cut oil, as indicated at ll! to conform to the side of the oblique beam l6.

Sliding along the side of the oblique beam I6 is the block 65 which is attached to the table top A by the screws H (see Figs. 11, 13, and 15). When the table is in the position of Figs. 1 and 6, the block 65 will be substantially inside the locking tongue 54.

When the table top A is moved obliquely in the direction 59, the drawer B will have been withdrawn and the locking tongue 64 will be permitted to drop. Thus clearance is provided for the locking block 65, as indicated in Figs. 13 and 14, when the table top A is moved outwardly to its over-run position of Figs. 2 to 4.

However, when the over-run It]! of the table top A is corrected, as indicated in Fig. 5, the look ing block 55 will be moved into the position of Figs. 11 and 12. When. the drawer B is then closed, the end portion 69 of the locking tongue 64 will be dressed up just inside of the face of the locking block 55 and lock the table top A in position, preventing withdrawal until the drawer B is again opened.

To collapse the table top from the position shown in Fig. 5, the reverse operations as indicated in Figs. 4, 3, 2, and l are performed.

With the drawer B withdrawn, the table top A may be over-run, as indicated in Figs. 4, l3, and 1.4 and then the leaf structures F and E may is obliquely moved inwardly to its position of Fig.

1 and then the drawer B is pushed inwardly.

It will be noted when the leaves are folded together as shown in Figs. 7 and 8 that the hinges 38 and 39, require a slight clearance which may be accommodated by the stop blocks 51 and 58 (see Figs. 16 and 17). Recesses I52 may be provided on the opposite faces for the reception of the offset portions 5| of the brackets 48 (see also It is thus apparent that the present invention provides a normally small table, which may be extended both longitudinally and laterally for usage or for service of an additional number of people.

The table is particularly suitable for apartment use and the operations, illustrated from Figs. 1 to 5, of extending the table, and from Figs. 5 to 1, of collapsing the table, are readily performed by the housewife or maid without detailed instruction and without difiiculty.

The leaves E and F due to their folding construction may be compactly stored in the drawer B and at the same time may be conveniently unfolded when inserted in position, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4.

The openings or. recesses 34, and 5! enable the hands to be conveniently placed under the leaves and the leaves to be removed without stooping or bending of the housewife or maid into inconvenient positions.

The leaves when inserted, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, need not be elaborately matched up to recesses or bayonetslots and need only be in serted first slightly inside of the positions which they will normally occupy with the brackets 48 and blocks 51 and 58 inside the walls of the base D and then drawn outwardly, as indicated by the arrows 6i and 62 of Figs. 3 and 4.

The hinged construction, as indicated at 3B and 31, enables the leaves to be most conveniently removed by pressing them inwardly and elevating them at the hinge and this may be conveniently accomplished without laying the leaves E and F upon the table A and without marring either the base D or the top A.

The locking tongue 64 is readily controlled by closure of the drawer B, and when closed, as indicated in Figs. 13 and 14, the extension leaves E and F and the table top A will be looked firmly and rigidly in position.

Thus the tendency of the many collapsible tables upon slight movement to collapse during the course of a meal and spill dishes in the laps of the diners iscompletely eliminated.

It will also be noted that all metal bracket portions 44, 45, 46, and 41 in the structure D and 48 on the hinged leaves E and F, as well as the hinges 38 and 39, are of standard construction and are relatively inexpensive to manufacture or purchase.

As many changes could be made in the above construction, and many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be devised without departing from the scope thereof, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

What is claimed is:

1. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved and compartment means to receive said leaves when not in use, said connection taking the form of guides extending diagonally from adjacent one corner of the table to adjacent the other corner of the table and interengaging sliding means on the bottom of said table and engaging said guides.

2. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved sidewardly both laterally and longitudinally, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved and compartment means to receive said leaves when not in use, said connection including slotted beams extending obliquely across said support directly under said top and on both sides of the diagonal of said top and support, and said top being provided with keys fitting into the slots in said beams.

3. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved and compartment means to receive said leaves when not in use, said connection permitting said top to over-run when so moved, and said topand said leaves being provided with interlocking portions, whereby said top may be moved backwardly, taking up said over-run and locking said leaves in extension positions, said connection taking the form of guides extending diagonally from adjacent one corner of the table to adjacent the other corner of the table and inter-engaging sliding means on the bottom of said table and engaging said guides.

4. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has 5. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved and compartment means to receive said leaves when not in use, said top and said leaves and said top and said support being each provided with interengaging means to lock the top against movement in respect to the support when extended and said leaves in respect to the top when in position, said connection taking the form of guides extending diagonally from adjacent one corner of the table to adjacent the other corner of the table and inter-engaging sliding means on the bottom of said table and engaging said guides.

6. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved, a drawer to receive said leaves when not in use, said support carrying a swinging latch and said top carrying a locking block. and said drawer when closed and said top when extended causing engaging of said latch and block to lock said top in position.

7. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved and compartment means to receive said leaves when not in use, said compartment taking the form of a drawer carried in said support, said connection taking the form of guides extending diagonally from adjacent one corner of the table to adjacent the other corner of the table and inter-engaging sliding means on the bottom of said table and engaging said guides.

8. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved and compartment means to receive'said leaves when not in use, said com.- partment taking the form of a drawer carried in said support and said drawer being provided with compartments one for each leaf, said compartments being provided with openings in the bot tom thereof to enable ready removal of said leaves, said connection taking the form of guides extending diagonally from adjacent one corner of the table to adjacent the other corner of the table and inter-engaging sliding means on the bottom of said table and engaging said guides.

9. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top ill) to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved and compartment means to receive said leaves when not in use, said com.- partment taking the form of a drawer carried in said support and said drawer being provided with compartments one for each leaf, the compartment for the end leaf being in the front portion of the drawer and the compartment for the side leaf being in the rear portion of the drawer, so that the leaves will be accessible in such order that the end leaf may first be inserted and then the side leaf may be inserted, said connection taking the form of guides extending diagonally from adjacent one corner of the table to adjacent the other corner of the table and inter-engaging sliding means on the bottom of said table and engaging said guides.

10. An expansible table construction, including a top, a support for said top, legs for said support, a side or lateral extension leaf and an end or longitudinal extension leaf, a connection between said top and support enabling said top to be moved diagonally and obliquely, interengaging means to enable said leaves to be fixed in position along the side and end of top after the top has been moved and compartment means to receive said leaves when not in use, said end leaf being equal in width to the width of the top and the side leaf and said side leaf being as long as the top, said connection taking the form of guides extending diagonally from adjacent one corner of the table to adjacent the other corner of the table and inter-engaging sliding means on the bottom of said table and engaging said guides.

PETER ALBANO. 

